There are provided systems, devices and methods for operating a housing for an electronic device as an input/output (I/O) device. In one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing configured to function as an integrated housing and I/O device and one or more sensors obscured by a panel of the housing. The one or more sensors being configured to sense via the panel of the housing. The electronic device further includes a processing unit communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to interpret electrical signals generated by the one or more sensors. One or more output devices are communicatively coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide an output in response to the one or more sensors generating an electrical signal.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein the haptic feedback device is configured to vibrate at a first amplitude in response to the proximity sensor sensing the object in close proximity to the surface.
4. The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein the haptic feedback device is configured to vibrate at a second amplitude that is greater than the first amplitude in response to the pressure sensor detecting the touch input on the surface.
7. The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein the first symbol is a function key label and wherein the second symbol is a playback control symbol.
8. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is operable in a first state in which the light is emitted through the microperforations and a second state in which light is not emitted through the microperforations and the microperforations are imperceptible to the naked eye.
10. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the sensor is a touch sensor.
11. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor.
12. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the sensor is a capacitive sensor.
14. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the surface with the input area comprises plastic.
15. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the surface with the input area comprises glass.
17. The apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein the haptic feedback device is configured to vibrate at a first amplitude in response to the proximity sensor sensing the object in close proximity to the surface.
18. The apparatus defined in claim 17, wherein the haptic feedback device is configured to vibrate at a second amplitude that is greater than the first amplitude in response to touch input on the surface.
19. The apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein the haptic feedback device is configured to provide haptic feedback in response to touch input on the surface.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
May 4, 2022
May 9, 2023
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